A new footbridge is being planned to improve pedestrian access at Rotherham central station as work continues to improve a key gateway into the town centre.
Work has been carried out around the revamped station recently in preparation for innovative tram train vehicles that will connect Rotherham and Parkgate with Meadowhall and the centre of Sheffield.
Network Rail needed to demolish and install a new bridge on College Road over the tracks as the previous one did not have enough room for the overhead lines which will power the innovative vehicles.
Now plans have been submitted by Rotherham Council for a new footbridge alongside Masbrough Bridge which spans the Rotherham Cut of the canal which surrounds Forge Island.
Previously the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the 1.57 hectare site has recently been fully cleared following the relocation of Tesco across town in 2014. Owned by the Council, a developer is being sought for a joint venture to realise a proposed £43m catalyst regeneration project anchored by a cinema and hotel.
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Close to Rotherham Old Bridge, which is a scheduled ancient monument, and the Chapel on the Bridge, which is a Grade I listed building, the proposals for the new footbridge are for it to be "sympathetic to its surroundings and acknowledge Rotherham's industrial heritage with the proposed use of Corten weathering steel, and Rotherham's historic heritage with the proposed use of natural stone on the bridge approaches."
Weathering steel is popularly used in outdoor sculptures, notably the Angel of the North in Gateshead.
The application states that the bridge will provide improved pedestrian access over the canal, avoiding the use of the existing canal bridge.
The area around the canal was upgraded by the Council when the station underwent a £10.4m redevelopment and re-opened in 2012.
An existing funding commitment has been secured by Rotherham Council for a highway and public realm improvement scheme between the bus interchange along Chantry Bridge and Bridge Street. This is set to significantly improve the pedestrian environment and linkages between the bus and rail stations.
Department of Transport funding, obtained through Sheffield City Region, will enable a number of improvements to take place with work taking place in the Corporation Street, Bridge Street and Frederick Street area.
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The 24-space "Scala" car park at the bottom of Corporation Street will be closed until late January to enable works to help improve access for cyclists and pedestrians to be carried out in the area.
Paul Woodcock, assistant director for planning, regeneration and transportation at Rotherham Council, said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused while the Scala car park is out of use, however the additional parking at Forge Island is very close by and also free of charge at weekends.
"These improvements are just part of our overall plans to improve this area of the town and we look forward to seeing a much-improved environment for visitors to enjoy."
I've added in the line from the application that states that "the bridge will provide improved pedestrian access over the canal, avoiding the use of the existing canal bridge."
Why the weathered steel? Why are we always looking backwards when it comes to stuff like this?
The steel for aircraft landing gear & F1 parts is made in Rotherham by Liberty Steel, Metalysis is pioneering the production of titanium and research into new materials and composites is taking place on the AMP.
I'm proud of my town's heritage but why not look at Macalloy in Dinnington and some of the world famous modern bridges that have been made possible by the threaded bar that they make here?
5 comments:
What a waste of money,why not simply walk across bridge at side of it?The mind boggles😵
Must be expecting lots of people when the tram finally comes....
I agree with Mr me, there is a perfectly adequate bridge already there... another STUPID idea by a STUPID Borough council...
I've added in the line from the application that states that "the bridge will provide improved pedestrian access over the canal, avoiding the use of the existing canal bridge."
Why the weathered steel? Why are we always looking backwards when it comes to stuff like this?
The steel for aircraft landing gear & F1 parts is made in Rotherham by Liberty Steel, Metalysis is pioneering the production of titanium and research into new materials and composites is taking place on the AMP.
I'm proud of my town's heritage but why not look at Macalloy in Dinnington and some of the world famous modern bridges that have been made possible by the threaded bar that they make here?
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